The room was quiet.
Dim light.
Soft shadows.
Meher lay beside him—
finally asleep—
her hand still loosely holding his.
Aarav hadn't slept properly.
Just resting—
alert even in silence.
Then—
a small movement.
Meher stirred slightly—
her brows knitting together.
"Aarav…" she whispered faintly.
His eyes opened instantly.
"Hmm… kya hua?" he asked softly.
(What happened?)
She hesitated—
a little embarrassed—
"Washroom…"
He sat up immediately.
"Okay… slowly."
He gently helped her sit up—
one hand supporting her back—
the other holding her arm.
As she tried to stand—
a sharp discomfort hit her.
She winced softly—
a low, pained sound escaping her lips.
Aarav froze for a second—
his grip tightening—
"Easy… easy…" he murmured.
"Pain ho raha hai?"
(Does it hurt?)
She nodded slightly—
eyes closing for a moment.
"Thoda…" she whispered.
(A little…)
His expression softened instantly.
"Wait," he said gently,
"main hoon na."
(I'm here.)
He adjusted his hold—
carefully lifting some of her weight—
making sure she didn't strain herself.
"Bas… dheere…" he guided.
(Slowly…)
Step by step—
he helped her stand properly.
Her hand instinctively clutched his shirt—
seeking support.
"Aise nahi chal paungi…" she murmured weakly.
(I won't be able to walk like this…)
He didn't reply—
just moved closer—
supporting her more firmly.
"Chalo… main hoon," he said quietly.
(Come… I'm here.)
Slowly—
very slowly—
they walked toward the washroom.
Every step careful.
Every movement measured.
Once they reached—
he stopped at the door.
"Main yahin hoon," he said softly.
(I'm right here.)
She nodded—
still holding his hand for a second longer—
before letting go reluctantly.
He waited outside.
Not moving.
Not even for a second.
Every small sound—
every movement—
his attention was fixed.
After a few minutes—
she called softly—
"Aarav…"
He was inside in seconds.
"Ho gaya?" he asked gently.
She nodded—
but looked tired again.
"Chalo… back," he said softly.
He helped her again—
supporting her just like before.
This time—
she leaned into him more.
Trusting him completely.
When they reached the bed—
he carefully helped her sit—
then lie down slowly.
Adjusting everything—
pillow.
Blanket.
"Comfortable?" he asked.
She nodded faintly.
But her hand reached out again—
finding his instantly.
"Yahin raho…" she whispered.
(Stay here…)
Aarav didn't hesitate.
"I'm not going anywhere," he said softly.
He lay beside her again—
keeping enough space—
but still close.
She moved slightly—
resting her head near his arm again.
Her fingers curled into his shirt once more.
And this time—
he smiled faintly.
"Clingy…" he murmured softly.
She didn't reply.
Already drifting back to sleep.
Aarav watched her for a moment—
then gently placed his hand over hers.
"Sleep," he whispered.
"I've got you."Morning came slowly.
Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains—
falling gently across the bed.
Everything felt calmer.
Quieter.
Meher stirred slightly.
Her head still resting near his arm—
her fingers still tangled in his shirt.
For a moment—
she didn't move.
Just… stayed.
Because for the first time—
she felt safe.
Completely.
Her eyes opened slowly.
And the first thing she saw—
was him.
Aarav.
Still asleep.
One arm near her—
the other resting loosely.
His face looked softer like this.
Calm.
Unbothered.
She watched him quietly—
a small smile forming.
"Pura raat nahi soye…" she murmured softly.
(You didn't sleep all night…)
Her fingers moved gently—
tracing the edge of his hand.
Careful.
As if even that might wake him.
But it did.
His eyes opened slowly—
finding her instantly.
"Good morning…" he said,
his voice still heavy with sleep.
She smiled faintly.
"Good morning…"
A small pause.
Then—
without warning—
she moved closer.
Resting her head fully on his arm—
hugging it lightly.
"Aaj kahin mat jaana…" she whispered.
(Don't go anywhere today…)
Aarav blinked once—
then a soft smile appeared.
"Order hai ya request?" he asked quietly.
(Is that an order or a request?)
She looked up at him—
eyes still sleepy—
but serious.
"Dono."
(Both.)
He let out a small breath—
almost amused.
"Okay," he said simply.
She relaxed instantly—
hugging his arm a little tighter.
"Good," she murmured.
Aarav watched her—
the way she stayed close—
like distance still scared her.
So he moved slightly—
closing the gap himself.
Now—
his arm gently around her.
"Better?" he asked softly.
She nodded—
without looking up.
"Haan…"
A small silence followed.
Then—
he teased quietly—
"Kal tak bol rahi thi main overprotective hoon…"
(Yesterday you were saying I'm overprotective…)
She lightly hit his chest—
barely any strength.
"Abhi bhi ho," she said.
(You still are.)
"Phir bhi cling kar rahi ho."
(Still clinging to me.)
She froze for a second—
then buried her face closer into him.
"Chup…" she murmured.
(Shut up…)
He chuckled softly.
"Sach bol raha hoon," he whispered.
(I'm telling the truth.)
She didn't argue.
Didn't move away.
Because she didn't want to.
After a moment—
she spoke again—
voice softer now.
"Kal… bahut dar lag raha tha…"
(Yesterday… I was really scared…)
Aarav's expression changed slightly.
More serious.
His hand moved gently over her back—
slow—
comforting.
"Ab nahi lagega," he said quietly.
(Not anymore.)
She nodded slightly—
trusting him completely.
"Promise?" she asked softly.
Aarav looked at her—
really looked.
Then—
"Promise."
No hesitation.
She smiled faintly—
then hugged him tighter.
"Okay…" she whispered.
Minutes passed like that.
No rush.
No fear.
Just warmth.
And for Aarav—
this moment—
was everything.
Because after everything—
she was here.
Safe.
In his arms.
And she chose to stay there.The morning stayed slow.
Soft.
Peaceful.
But something in Aarav—
had changed.
Meher was still close to him—
half resting—
half awake.
Her fingers absentmindedly playing with the edge of his shirt.
"Breakfast?" he asked softly.
She shook her head lightly.
"Nahi… bas yahin rehna hai."
(No… just want to stay here.)
He didn't argue.
"Okay."
But after a few minutes—
his phone rang.
He glanced at it—
then at her.
"Important hai," he said quietly.
She nodded—
but her grip on him tightened slightly.
"Jaao…" she murmured.
He gently removed her hand—
but not completely.
"Main yahin hoon," he reminded.
(I'm right here.)
He stepped a little away—
still within her sight—
taking the call.
"Haan bolo."
His tone changed instantly.
Serious.
Controlled.
"Security update?" he asked.
A pause.
"Double kar do."
(Double it.)
Another pause.
"Nahi… triple."
Meher looked at him—
confused.
"Har entry point cover hona chahiye."
(Every entry point should be covered.)
His voice lowered—
but became sharper.
"Without my permission koi andar nahi aayega."
(No one enters without my permission.)
He ended the call.
Turning back to her.
She was watching him closely now.
"Aarav…" she said softly,
"itna kyun?"
(Why so much?)
He walked back—
sitting beside her again.
"Because I don't trust anything anymore," he replied calmly.
She blinked.
"I'm safe now…" she said.
He shook his head slightly.
"Tum ho…"
(You are…)
A pause.
"…but duniya nahi."
(But the world isn't.)
That line—
stayed.
She didn't argue.
Instead—
she leaned closer again—
resting her head lightly on his shoulder.
"Aap bohot scary ho kabhi kabhi…" she murmured.
(You're scary sometimes…)
He exhaled softly.
"Sirf unke liye…"
(Only for them…)
His hand moved gently—
holding her closer.
"…jo tumhe hurt karte hain."
(…who try to hurt you.)
She stayed quiet for a moment.
Then—
a small smile appeared.
"Accha hai…"
(It's good…)
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Kya?"
She looked up at him—
eyes softer now.
"Kyuki mujhe toh safe feel hota hai."
(Because I feel safe.)
That—
hit differently.
Aarav's expression softened.
His thumb brushed lightly against her hand.
"Good," he said quietly.
But inside—
his mind was still alert.
Still calculating.
Because this time—
he wasn't taking chances.
Not even one.
"Ab tum kahin akeli nahi jaogi," he added.
(You won't go anywhere alone now.)
She made a small face.
"Aap overprotective ho."
He leaned slightly closer—
his voice dropping just a little.
"Haan."
(Yes.)
A pause.
"And I'm not changing that."
She rolled her eyes softly—
but didn't pull away.
Instead—
she held his hand tighter.
Because deep down—
she didn't mind.
Not anymore.The day had been quiet.
Too quiet.
Aarav had stepped out for a short while—
just a quick check.
Just a few minutes.
"Rest karna," he had told her before leaving.
(Rest.)
She had nodded.
And now—
he was back.
The door opened.
"Aa gaya…" he called casually—
but stopped mid-step.
Because something felt… off.
Too silent.
His eyes moved quickly—
searching.
And then—
he saw her.
Meher—
on the couch.
Resting.
Still.
But what made his breath stop—
wasn't that.
It was her dress.
White.
Long.
Comfortable.
Now—
stained.
A deep red spreading slowly.
For a second—
everything inside him froze.
Then—
panic hit.
"Meher!"
He rushed toward her instantly—
dropping beside the couch.
"Meher… kya hua?"
(What happened?)
She stirred—
opening her eyes weakly.
"Aarav…" she whispered.
But her voice—
wasn't right.
He didn't wait.
His hands moved quickly—
carefully—
checking her—
trying to understand.
"Pain ho raha hai?" he asked—
his voice shaking despite control.
She nodded faintly—
fear creeping into her eyes now.
"Aarav… mujhe dar lag raha hai…"
(I'm scared…)
That was enough.
Without another second—
he lifted her.
Careful—
but fast.
"Nothing will happen," he said firmly.
"I'm here."
She instinctively held onto him—
her fingers clutching his shirt tightly.
"Aarav…" she whispered again—
voice trembling.
"Shh… bas," he murmured,
"hospital ja rahe hain."
(We're going to the hospital.)
He didn't slow.
Didn't stop.
Within seconds—
he was out.
Car door opened.
"Drive!" he ordered sharply.
The car sped off instantly.
Inside—
Aarav held her close—
one hand supporting her carefully—
the other holding her hand tightly.
"Stay with me…" he whispered.
Her eyes fluttered—
fear still visible.
"I'm here…" he repeated,
"…I'm not letting anything happen."
The car moved faster.
Signals ignored.
Roads cleared.
And Aarav—
didn't look anywhere else.
Just her.
Because right now—
nothing mattered more.
Not fear.
Not anger.
Just her.The car stopped with a sharp halt.
Before it fully settled—
Aarav was already out.
"Emergency!" he shouted.
Doctors and nurses rushed forward instantly.
A stretcher brought in—
quick—
efficient.
"Careful…" Aarav said,
his voice tight,
as they shifted Meher from his arms.
Her fingers were still holding his shirt—
weak—
but refusing to let go.
"I'm here," he whispered quickly,
gently freeing her grip.
"Sir, please step aside," a nurse said.
He didn't move.
"Sir—please," she repeated.
Reluctantly—
he stepped back.
They rushed her inside.
The doors closed.
And suddenly—
Aarav was outside.
Alone.
His hands clenched.
Jaw tight.
Breathing uneven.
Minutes passed.
Too slow.
Too heavy.
Finally—
the doctor came out.
Aarav stepped forward instantly.
"Doctor?"
The doctor looked at him—
serious.
"Stitches reopen ho gaye hain," he said.
(The stitches have reopened.)
Aarav's expression darkened.
"How?" he asked sharply.
The doctor didn't soften.
"Unhe rest karna tha."
(She needed rest.)
A pause.
"Movement kam hona chahiye tha."
(She should have limited movement.)
Another pause.
"Aapne dhyan nahi rakha?"
(Didn't you take care?)
That hit.
Hard.
Aarav didn't reply immediately.
Because for the first time—
he didn't have an answer.
"I told you she needs proper care," the doctor continued.
"Yeh koi normal condition nahi hai."
(This isn't a normal condition.)
His tone wasn't rude—
but firm.
Responsible.
Aarav's fists tightened slightly.
"I was gone for a while," he said quietly.
The doctor shook his head.
"Even then—she shouldn't be alone."
Silence.
That line stayed.
Because deep down—
Aarav knew.
He looked away for a second—
running a hand through his hair.
"Ab?" he asked.
(Now?)
The doctor exhaled.
"Treatment ho raha hai."
(Treatment is going on.)
"Bleeding control kar liya hai."
(It's under control.)
A pause.
"But she needs strict care now."
"Bilkul bhi strain nahi."
(Absolutely no strain.)
Aarav nodded slowly.
"Understood."
The doctor looked at him once more—
then went back inside.
Aarav stood there.
Still.
That one line—
echoing again and again.
"She shouldn't be alone."
His jaw clenched.
Guilt.
Anger.
Fear.
All mixed.
"Sir…" someone called softly.
He didn't respond.
Because right now—
he wasn't thinking about anything else.
Just her.
"I won't let this happen again," he muttered.
Not loud.
But firm.
Because this time—
he meant it.
After some time—
the doors opened again.
"Sir, you can see her now."
Aarav moved instantly.
Walking in—
fast—
but controlled.
And when he saw her again—
lying there—
treated—
still weak—
his steps slowed.
He moved closer—
sitting beside her.
"Meher…" he whispered.
Her eyes opened slowly.
And the first thing she saw—
was him.
"Aarav…" she murmured.
He held her hand instantly.
"I'm here."
But this time—
his voice carried something else too.
A silent promise.
That he wouldn't leave again.
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Stay tuned ❤️